Farewell 2015

GOODBYE 2015

The sun rose today for the last time in 2015. The Garden was bathed in a mellow, golden light as we assembled for the exercises, buoyed by a feeling of joy and triumph – joy, because it was Siba Prasad Maitra’s birthday; and triumph, because yesterday (ref post), we could obtain the seemingly ‘impossible’ permission to hold our Annual Day function in the China Hut on January 16, 2016.
All morning everyone was singing paeans of praise for Hemant Nair, the Celebration Club bossman under whose purview our Garden falls. Clearly, news of the delegation that met him yesterday and the outcome of that meeting had already reached many members. Still, Shekhawat formally briefed us on how it had taken "all of 10 seconds" for Nair to give his nod and what remains now is making a written request from our side to him.

Shekhawat briefs us on yesterday's meeting

As Big Laaf president, Srichand Arora said he would draft the letter today and complete the necessary formalities.
Effectively, this means that we will NOT have to pay for using the China Hut and NOT look out for another venue to hold the Annual Day function. (At one point, there was a very real possibility of shifting location to Chhota Kashmir in Aarey Milk Colony!)

Maitra receives birthday calendar

The permission however, comes with the rider: Eatables and beverages will not be allowed inside the Garden. We will have to make do with packaged food, to be consumed outside.
Maitra showed us how to make a celebration of this when he distributed food boxes after the exercises as his birthday treat. Always cheerful and today, doubly so, here is one man who is as much admired as he is adored –

The welcome cuppa 

Tara Chand blesses Maitra

so much so that there are many among us who drop by only when he is there and cannot but hang on to every word he utters. All those fan boys and girls were around today, wishing him the best and many, blessing him. Even Mallika Kagzi insisted on giving him ashirwad and landed several thumps on his head. And who can forget that look of awe and disbelief in the eyes of Banoo Apa as Maitra warbled a couple of Bengali numbers for her benefit? Sadly, he had to leave in a hurry because it was a working day for him. May our ‘birthday boy’ remain forever cheerful like this and bring cheer to everyone around for all time. Happy Birthday, once again, Mr Maitra!
Bihari Milwani:
Request all members to strictly adhere to the condition imposed and not eat in the Garden. This is good for us also as otherwise, some other group may spoil the Garden on a flimsy excuse.